YOY’s New Principal Impressed by Atlanta

Rabbi Avrohom Tkatch is moving to Atlanta to become the menahel (principal) at Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael. “Atlanta has a unique yeshiva serving students with a wide range of backgrounds,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity in a positive environment.”

Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael offers high schools boys a classical yeshiva education with a fully accredited college prep general studies program. For the new school year, Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael has 50 boys attending from local families, including 17 ninth-graders.

Growing up in Overland Park, Kan., Rabbi Tkatch attended the Yeshiva of South Bend, Yeshivas Mir in Jerusalem and Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, N.J. He joined an outreach kollel in Bensalem, Pa., then moved to South Bend, Ind. For the past 11 years at Yeshiva of South Bend, he served as the 12th-grade rebbe; he was the principal for seven of those years.

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In preparation for accepting the position at YOY, Rabbi Tkatch traveled south three times to visit the Jewish boys high school. He said he saw serious Torah learning coupled with a challenging general studies program.

“The whole environment is nurturing,” he said. “The yeshiva is on a very nice private campus with a new outdoor basketball court that allows that teenage energy an outlet.”

While visiting the school, Rabbi Tkatch taught a Gemorrah (Talmud) class and gave a talk on mussar (character development) to the entire student body. He met the other rebbeim and talked extensively with Rabbi Meir Neuberger, the rosh yeshiva.

“Rabbi Tkatch has a lot of experience in the menahel role,” Rabbi Neuberger said. “He has a very nice balance of strong presence and warm understanding of high school boys and their needs.”

The new menahel sees a healthy balance already in place at the school, where students are challenged and respected for their individuality.

Rabbi Tkatch, who enjoyed meeting people in the community, described Atlanta as “very friendly.” He plans to move into the Toco Hills neighborhood with his wife, Elisheva, and children.